St Patrick's Basilica, Waimate

St Patrick's Basilica or Waimate Basilica, as it is popularly known because of its style of architecture, was built in 1908-1909, with the tower added in 1912. It is an Italianate-Romanesque style with an arcaded portico and the tower is impressively louvred. The Basilica was built in brick to a design by Francis William Petre and has been described as his most original work. Three bells in the tower were cast in Belgium, with the largest bell weighing 3/4 of ton and the other two weighing 1/2 ton each. The tower at the top was built in 1912 and is 45ft high. Within are a fine pipe organ, a marble altar and a notable sanctuary window. The Basilica is listed by Heritage New Zealand as a Historic Place, Category 1.